Jobs for a PhD in Educational Psychology

A Ph.D. in Educational Psychology is a pathway to a diverse array of career options. This article reviews general admission requirements to the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology Program, and what opportunities are available to those who have this degree.

Program Admittance Overview for a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Scores: Although the actual score requirement varies depending on the school, expect to need a GRE score of at least 285, but many schools have requirements much closer to 300 or above.
GPA: The average GPA required for admittance into the Ph.D. program around 3.0 with some schools requiring 3.5 or above, and a few schools accepting a GPA of 2.75. It's good to keep in mind that getting into graduate school is a competitive business, so aiming for higher than average doesn't hurt.
Letters of Reference: The average graduate school committee is looking for 3 letters from faculty members who can attest to an applicant's academic and research capabilities, and letters from those familiar with the applicant's related work experience.

Many schools require their Ph.D. applicants to have a master's degree from an accredited college or university. No specific field is generally required but some schools may require new students to take master's-level courses before starting a Ph.D.

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology Career Options

School Psychologist

School Psychologists work with educators and students at K-12 levels to diagnose issues that are hindering a student's academic success, counsel the students, and work out a plan of action with the student, faculty, and parents. Along with the rigorous coursework at the Ph.D. level, student-faculty research projects concerning provide Ph.D. graduates with the investigative knowledge and skills to address the root causes of the problem and formulate effective strategic plans to alleviate boundaries and foster success.

College/University Professor & Researchers in Psychology and/or Education

Having a psychology degree that also specializes in education makes a strong trade school, college, or university professorial candidate. Or grads may work educating future educators by teaching the social, emotional, and cognitive structures of the learner. University psychology professors also often engage in on-campus research. They may write and publish works of their own to advance the field of education through the knowledge they've gained in research while also passing that knowledge on to students.

Career Training and Development Manager

Perhaps a less traditional career track for one with a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology is Career Training and Development Manager, but the study of behavioral and educational psychology is a valuable asset in this field. In fact, on-the-job training is a form of education in and of itself. The knowledge obtained doing doctorate work in courses such as qualitative design analysis (and defending research dissertations to grad school committees) are well suited to understanding how best to design, present, implement, and evaluate employee training programs.

Psychometrician

The knowledge learned and applied during a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, particularly the coursework in measurement theory, information processing, cognitive development, and culture as it relates to assessments, are preparatory tools for a career in psychometrics. Psychometricians also apply their skills in statistical analysis and measuring to design and analyze a host of exams from learning assessments like the SAT to assessments for mental health clinics, as well as training those that score the exams.

Director of Curriculum

Directors of curriculum share responsibilities with school superintendents, looking over textbooks, designing curricula and devising new ways to reach children with instructional materials. A Ph.D. in Educational Psychology sheds light on the ways in which students learn in the classroom, and that knowledge could bring a unique perspective to this line of work. As a director of curriculum, you'd also be responsible for assessing the effectiveness of current programs and coming up with ways to improve them.

Job Title	Median Salary (2018)*	Job Growth (2018-2028)*
School Psychologist	$79,010 (for all psychologists)	14%
College/University Professor & Researcher of Psychology	$73,770	12%
College/University Professor & Researcher not Psychology-Specific	$78,470	11%
Career Training and Development Manager	$111,340	8%
Psychometrician	$82,761**	6% (for curriculum developers)
Director of Curriculum	$77,418	6% (for instructional coordinators)

Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Payscale.com (updated 2019)

A Ph.D. in Educational Psychology allows for career choices such as college professor, researcher and curriculum designer. And while this is not an exhaustive list, it gives a general idea of the employment opportunities and income potential that exists for those with this doctorate.